Thursday, January 8, 2015

CGCC recognized by Carnegie Foundation for community engagement

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized Mesa (MCC) and Chandler-Gilbert Community Colleges (CGCC) by awarding each a 2015 Community Engagement classification, a significant and competitive recognition that highlights dedication to community service. This is the first classification for MCC and a renewal of CGCC’s initial 2006 designation. The colleges represent two of only three Arizona schools and just 361 colleges and universities nationwide that currently hold the designation. Between MCC and CGCC, more than 5,000 students performed upwards of 115,000 hours of community service last year.

“Mesa Community College is honored to be among a select group of colleges and universities across the country that enjoy the designation of Carnegie Community Engaged Campus,” said Shouan Pan, president, Mesa Community College. “As guided by Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board outcomes, MCC values student learning and development through community and civic engagement on and off campus. I want to express my deep appreciation to our faculty, students, and staff for their leadership and commitment to living out our value."

Both MCC and CGCC have long been recognized for exceptional community outreach; collectively, the colleges collaborate with more than 250 community partners, including the American Cancer Society, local United Way agencies, A New Leaf, Paz de Cristo, Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley, Special Olympics as well as local senior centers and school districts.

“Community engagement is part of our culture,” said Linda Lujan, president, CGCC. “From its early years, nearly 30 years ago, until today, CGCC has held community engagement as an enduring core value through a variety of initiatives and programs including service-learning, global and civic engagement, curricular and co-curricular linkages, community partnerships, and executive leadership’s involvement with and service to our region.”

Both colleges have received grants to support community engagement activities from national and local organizations. Dedicated staff at each college oversee and track the multiple projects and grants and work closely with hundreds of faculty members representing every academic department who serve in coordinating roles.

“It is heartening to see this level of commitment and activity,” wrote Carnegie Foundation President Anthony S. Bryk in a notification letter to the colleges. “Clearly, higher education is making significant strides in finding ways to engage with and contribute to important community agendas.”